UCF hosts impressive list of local recruits for spring game

At Bright House Networks Stadium today for the UCF spring game, the Knights have pulled in a pretty impressive list of local recruits for the intra-squad game.

Coach George O’Leary won’t come right out and say that the Knights are taking a more concerted approach to local recruiting this year, but all you have to do is pay attention. Of the Top 10 players on the Sentinel’s 2012 Super60, five are confirmed in attendance today, while four others were expected but had other commitments.

The big headliners, if you will, among UCF’s local targets are WRs Dvario Montgomery of Winter Park and Alton Howard of Edgewater.

Howard, the brother of current UCF receiver Quincy McDuffie, is an impressive wide-out who can actually be used in a variety of positions, including slotback with his size (5-foot-9, 175 pounds).

Howard used to rate Ohio State as his top school but has since backed off and said a big reason was because of the recent issue with which Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel and some players have been involved.

“I just don’t think I want to play there,” Howard said Saturday via cell phone. “Honestly, what happened with the coach and players, it changed my mind.”

Montgomery is a perfect specimen for what UCF is going to be lacking as big receivers Jamar Newsome, Kamar Aiken and Brian Watters have recently departed. Montgomery (6-3, 205) is the No. 1-ranked player in the Sentinel’s Super60 and is the cousin of former UCF quarterback Steven Moffett, now an assistant coach at Winter Park High.

UCF is likely going to sign three receivers of the 10 or 12 scholarships the Knights will fill.

Other players in the Super60 top 10 who were invited to UCF but are not in attendance are OL Duaron Williams of Jones High , who will catch the tail-end of the Florida State spring game in Tallahassee and then attend Sunday’s Nike Football Training Camp; and Karl Joseph, a linebacker at Edgewater, had other commitments today and could not make the UCF game.

Lake Highland's speedy wide receiver Hayden Jones was also in attendance on Saturday, saying via e-mail, "I enjoyed the game and was equally impressed with the facilities.I also went to their scrimmage two weeks ago."

Other Top 10 players on visits Saturday were: Boone speedster WR Marvin Bracy, who was at the FSU spring game, and Apopka OL Ty Darlington is at Auburn’s A-Day spring game.